MafiA's Gamble

SIX

DAY ONE OF BATTLE OF THE SCHOOLS

     The competition always took place in the afternoon of the three days the event was happening. It was very much like a school festival, in the sense that students would, a) be looking forward to cancelled noon classes, b) be able to watch and participate in various activities and student run 'exhibits', and c) visit many stalls, buy food and just generally chill with friends. Of course, some students also worked on unfinished projects or assignments, and then there were the students who didn't come to school at all. That particular afternoon were the contests and competitions pertaining to the academic field. In all subjects, the students participating would write a test, each writing an exam tailored to their own respective fortes. Two tests for two different subjects were happening at once, each allotted an hour time slot. In the meantime, the other students were free to look around, or catch up on some work. Yuki wandered around, looking for her friends, when she ran into Ley and Raito. "Yuki! Hi! What's up?" exclaimed Raito happily, being the optimistic dude he always was. "Oh, nothing much. I was just looking for some friends of mine." As the three chatted with each other, Dawn and Krystal had turned a corner of the building, finding their friend talking to two very attractive guys.

     Hiding behind the corner, Krystal and Dawn exchanged a look. "I didn't know Yuki had guy friends?" whispered Krystal, curiously. Dawn nodded. "Yeah, me too. They also look kinda close." "Hmmm should we head over?" "Sure." With that, Krystal and Dawn walked over to Yuki. Dawn called out cheerfully, "Hey Yuki, what's up?" Yuki smiled. "Oh hey guys, I was looking for you." "Since your friends are here, I guess we'll see you later?" Raito turned to leave with Ley, before Krystal cut in with a sly smile. "Say, Yuki, why don't you introduce us to your guy friends?" Dawn joined in. "Yeah, it would be cool." Yuki paused, slightly flustered at the thought of considering Ley and Raito "guy friends''. She quickly waved her hands and gestured, introducing the two pairs to each other. "Well, uh, this is Ley Kuraikage, and this is Raito Kurugiri." Dawn and Krystal smiled. "Nice to meet you. I'm Dawn." "And I'm Krystal. We're Yuki's friends." Raito flashed his signature smile as he introduced himself. "Nice to meet you. I'm Yuki's friend, Raito Kurugiri." Krystal and Dawn stared back, their heads blank, blinded by the smile. So bright.. "Oh, I'm Ley Kuraikage. Pleasure to meet you both," Ley said, clearly uninterested. Yuki began to sweat, as she watched her two friends begin to warm up to Raito fairly quickly. "Wow, I didn't realize your school had someone so skilled in martial arts!" Dawn remarked, very impressed. "Aww, thanks! You guys give me too much credit." Krystal began to study Raito, as she commented, "Hmmm you have a really impressive build.. It's no wonder you're good at combat." When she realized what just came out of her mouth, her neck snapped up, as she tried to remedy her slip. "Ah, wait, I didn't mean it like that, I-'' Raito chuckled, cutting into her sentence. "Aha, that's fine. Besides, I could say the same about you." He shot her a small wink and Krystal turned away in embarrassment, as Dawn and Yuki shared a quick look, having to break eye contact rapidly in fear of audible snickering.

     Turning to Yuki, Raito gave her a small wave before he grabbed Ley's arm. "We should really get going now, but we'll definitely talk later, 'kay~?'' Yuki, still trying to hold in her laughter at what happened to Krystal, smiled at Raito's strange antics and nodded. "Sure." As soon as the boys left, Krystal and Dawn turned to Yuki, an identical sly expression on their faces. "Sooo.... Since when were you friends with them?" Yuki began to sweat, slightly uncomfortable as she retold the story of how she got acquainted with them to her friends. Eager to change the subject, Yuki quickly noted, "Anyways, enough about me. Where are the others? I'm sure they also got invited." Krystal and Dawn looked at each other. Dawn offered a quick explanation. "Well, about that... There was another affair happening around the same time, so the school deemed the competition not as significant to send in Eleyne and Alice. As for Lia.. well, she was invited, but she didn't feel like going, especially because she said she was going to be busy playing this new game of hers." Yuki nodded in understanding. "What kind of competition is Alice and Eleyne participating in?" Krystal replied, "Well, uh, I think they're doing some sort of presentation for a bunch of important people, I dunno. It was all kinda under wraps." "Oh, I see. It's too bad I couldn't see them today, but it's understandable that they are busy." "Yup. But hey, at least we get to hang out together! Besides, I'm glad I came, since I got to meet Yuki's (ahem) 'guy friends'. Lia is totally missing out," Dawn said, chuckling to herself. Yuki laughed awkwardly before checking the time. "Oh wait, guys. The results for the first academic tests should be out soon. Let's go check it out." Krystal and Dawn nodded, following after Yuki, who led the way.